Job Discussion Forums

[mcm66]

Hello All -
I have recently graduated from a University in the US, with a degree in, of all things, psychology. However, I have recently discovered, perhaps too late, that the opportunity to teach English overseas exists.

I started to look into it more, but the sheer amount of information, some of it contradictory, overwhelmed me, and furthermore, the general impression I got was that, unless I had gotten some upper level degree, spoke a dozen languages, and had been teaching since I was a little kid, the only jobs available were total scams, and the certification courses were wastes of money. A bit of an exaggeration, but kinda of a downer.

So I turn to you, good people. What is the best way to get entry into this field? What should I be doing right now to help realize these goals? Try and get a CELTA certification? How reputable or useful are any of the following programs, which I found during my searches?

TEFL International - http://www.teflinternational.com/

Global Crossroads - http://www.globalcrossroad.com/tefl/

ITTO - http://www.teflcertificatecourses.com/

Thank you, and hopefully you can help me get started towards accomplishing this.

[mandalayroad]

First questions to ask yourself: How long do you plan to teach English abroad? Is it to spend a couple years overseas learning another language and/or culture while teaching to support yourself, or is this something you want to pursue as a career?

[arioch36]

You really should narrow it down. Where do you want to teach. Then go to that board.
For instance, in CHina, a cert usually isn't worth much for getting a job (whether it is something you need is a different question) and they really wouldn't know what cert was good or bad

[Anda]

You pick a country and start applying for work. Give it a try with what you have. Most countries in Asia want a four year Uni degree in anything. Any of the English teaching certificates are useful but you can do them much more cheaply in such countries as China than in the West.

Many of the better jobs are after two years of teaching experience. Once you are out of the big cities it isn't that hard to get a start without teaching experience.

Countries like Japan, Korea have programs like JET and EPIK for teaching in public schools. They take beginners on!

Not many make the big money these days in ESL and with the current slowdown in exports out of Asia due to current economies in the West one can expect things to get harder in this game soon.

You have to like the life and be able to fit into other cultures to last the distance. Most last a year or two full stop.

[denise]

Don't worry! Things really aren't all that bad.

I agree that it would help you (and other forum members trying to advise you) if you could start to narrow down your search. Which countries or regions have always interested you? Do you speak another language, or is there one that you would like to learn? Can you work legally? (As an American, most of Europe will be off-limits to you unless you want to work illegally.) You don't necessarily have to have your heart set on one specific country, but surely there must be some that appeal to you more than others.

Once you have a vague idea of where you want to go, I'd recommend looking into TEFL courses in those places. I'm not familiar with the links you posted, but a good course should be 100+ hours (some are 120ish) with observed practice teaching sessions with real students--you shouldn't only be practicing on your fellow TEFL students, although you will likely do this before you get real students.

Even if certain countries or certain schools don't require TEFL certification, and even if you only want to do this for a couple of years at most, I'd still look into TEFL courses, simply because you will need to know what you're doing when you walk into a classroom. Some schools may have their own training programs, but from what I've read in job ads, those may only be a few days.

To do this job, you do not need to speak your students' language, and schools may expect you to adhere to English only in the classrooms. I've worked in a couple of places where native speakers were given higher-level classes (no elementary courses) so that the students could handle English-only environments. Speaking the local language is something that will help you outside the classroom. You can decide how much of the language to study before you go and how much more to study once you're there--just don't expect to become fluent simply because you're living there.

You won't need a higher degree unless to plan to get into university work, teach in the US, and/or make a career of this. Many, many people in many different countries get decent jobs with a BA and TEFL certificate.

Good luck!
d

[mcm66]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. OK, I don't speak any other languages, but I am willing to learn. I suppose I'd be most interested in teaching somewhere in Asia - Korea, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. I would like to take a course or get a certification, even if it was just to get me at least somewhat prepared for what I'd be going into. I would be trying this teaching path out for a few years to see if I like it and want to make a career of it.

[Glenski]

If you're interested in Japan, look into the JET Programme. www.jetprogramme.org
Paid airfare.
Higher salary than most entry level jobs.
You are an ALT, not a solo teacher, so the load is off.
Working hours are Mon - Fri, 9 to 5, instead of conversation school hours of noon to 9pm any day of the week.

www.bigdaikon.com is the unofficial web site of JET ALTs.

[Anda]

My new job will be at a middle school. I've been in this game since 1990 mostly in South Korea.

Most of us find somewhere that suit us as individuals. I prefer middle schools as I can usually get photocopies to hand out plus a TV in each classroom. I can use more control than I can in most institutes. Downside classes are big.

Many like universities but I'm not so keen on them. I prefer to teach where I'm the only Western teacher as quite often you will find our lot fighting among themselves for so called position and better hours etc.


Working in institutes in general isn't that good as equipment is usually not available nor is photocopying. However there are up market institutes where everything is laid on. I have a part time job at an institute but I own the whiteboard, TV stand along with the TV plus the DVD player (I have three of them) and I going to buy a photo copier. I enjoy my job however and the students like me.

So as you can see it will take you a while to see what suits you.

[natsume]

[denise]

[killian]

go. pick a country that appeals to you and go.


don't get a cert. until you like this line of work.

[naturegirl321]

Don't worry, it's never too late. A lot of us started out the same as you and got higher degrees on the way.

AS for TEFL courses, make sure they have at least 100 hours and six teaching students.

AS for Asia, you'll probably be teaching young kids and large classes. ASk yourself if you'd like that before applying to positions.

Certs help you in the classroom, degrees will help you with visas and getting cushy jobs.

[spiral78]

'six teaching students?" Is that like 'five geese a-laying?"

I'd like to have those Teaching Students myself!!

[Anda]

I started into English teaching at the age of 40 with no degree in South Korea in 1990 and now have a grad dip and English certificate plus lots of work experience. I'll be 58 soon and I'm still doing okay. It's what you make of yourself that counts.

[naturegirl321]